This year’s IFA show was filled with rollable laptops, weird robots and a particularly expensive Dyson toothbrush. However, being primarily a phone reporter, I was on the hunt for unorthodox smartphones –- particularly ones you can’t just get anywhere.
Also: The 9 coolest gadgets I saw at IFA 2026
I stumbled across a new passport-size foldable, a zero-bezel phone, and one with a built-in action camera, among others. Here are the five coolest phones I saw at IFA 2026.
1. Xiaomi 18 Fold
The Xiaomi 18 Fold is a Galaxy Z Fold 8-like passport-sized folding phone. Interestingly, it doesn’t have a Qualcomm or MediaTek processor, but an in-house XRing O3 chip; the first time Xiaomi is using its own processor on a flagship phone.
As for comparisons, the Xiaomi 18 Fold looks shorter than Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold 8. On the back, it also has three cameras instead of than two. The text on the camera bar suggests a focal range of 17mm-80mm, meaning it could have support for ~3.5x optical zoom. We’ll need to wait for the September 7 launch for its full specs, but the less boxy design, rounded edges, and that burgundy color are already my favorite.
2. Tecno’s Bezelless concept phone
Tecno announced its Next-Gen Bezelless Concept Phone at IFA, and ss the name suggests, its display goes all the way to the edge, with no bezels. In my brief hands-on time, I used it to jump between apps, run the camera, and browse the web, and it felt very immersive. I was worried about the phone registering false touches from my palm, but it didn’t.
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Tecno says this is only a concept phone and isn’t being mass-manufactured just yet. However, I wish we see at least one phone have a bezel-less screen next year. It looks futuristic, and I hope Tecno brings the design to more phones.
It also has a flowery 3D effect on the rear panel that looks gorgeous, and you don’t have to wear any sort of glasses to experience the effect. It was one of the most subtle but surprising things I’ve seen at IFA.
3. Motorola Razr 2026 Swarovski Edition
Motorola didn’t have a dedicated IFA booth, but the company announced its Swarovski edition Razr 2026 at the show. It has a quilted back in Pantone meteorite (black) color with Swarovski crystals embedded on top. These include 35 hand-positioned crystals and an additional 32-facet crystal on the hinge.
While the Razr 2026 retails for $800, its limited-edition Swarovski version is listed for 1,000 euros (~$1,160). Other than the looks, everything else remains the same as the regular model. However, the crystals give it a more luxurious look with that added quilted charm.
4. The RugOne XSnap 7 Pro’s detachable camera
Rugged phone maker Ulephone’s sub-brand, RugOne, has a new smartphone with a detachable camera module. The RugOne XSnap 7 Pro holds a small action camera in the module that can be pulled out of the rear panel and mounted on your cap or a stand. This is potentially great for outdoor enthusiasts who don’t want to carry any extra gadget with them. The phone then doubles as a video-recording action camera.
It can capture 2.8K at 30fps or 1440p at up to 50fps, and you get two more (non-detachable) cameras on the phone: a 50MP primary camera with OIS and a 64MP infrared night-vision camera paired with dedicated IR LEDs. It has a 6.67-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 12GB of RAM with 512GB of storage and a huge 9,300mAh battery. The device will go on sale on Amazon and RugOne’s online store for $999 next month.
5. Oukitel’s rugged gaming phone
Rugged phones aren’t typically built for gaming, as all of their MIL-STD-level durability comes at the cost of processing prowess. You won’t find one of these phones powered by the same processor as a regular flagship phone, but Oukitel’s WP600 is pushes the limits with a MediaTek Dimensity 8300 chip. It isn’t a top-of-the-line processor, but the company claims it can deliver “exceptional speed and responsiveness for gaming, multitasking, and demanding outdoor applications.”
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I couldn’t test the claims during my brief hands-on, but the Oukitel WP600 definitely feels built like a gaming phone. It has a ”cyber-futuristic aesthetic,” dynamic RGB lighting, and an integrated dual-fan cooling system to maximize the chip’s capabilities without toasting it.
You get a 6.8-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a 10,000mAh battery with 45W fast charging, 24GB of RAM alongside 1TB of storage and an MIL-STD-810H durability rating. It is a gaming phone built for outdoor enthusiasts.
